Texas Success Initiative

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a program which was developed by the 78th Texas State Legislature (and modified in 2013) under which all undergraduate students, who are notexempt, are required to take the TSI Assessment.

The basic skills tested are reading, writing and mathematics. The writing component includes an essay. Students who fail a section of the TSI Assessment may be required to enroll in a developmental course(s) in that area.

IMPORTANT! Students who do not have test scores on file will not be allowed to register for classes, unless they are exempt. Therefore, prospective students should provide proof of an exemption or schedule to take the TSI Assessment as soon as possible so that scores will be available in time for orientation and registration.

Check your specific TSI status on WebWorld: Current MSU students and newly admitted students can check their TSI status on WebWorld through theMSU Portal. Login and then on the left side under QuickLaunch Navigation, click on Student Records, then TSI, Drop Limit and Core Curriculum.

Already taken the TSI Assessment elsewhere? Complete the onlineTSI Assessment Score Release Formfor us to download your TSI scores. (NOTE: Donotcomplete this form if you tested at Midwestern State University.)

Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA): Students who must take the TSI Assessment are first required to complete the online Pre-Assessment Activity. The PAA gives information about the TSI Assessment, what to expect, sample questions, and resources which MSU offers. Before taking the PAA, make sure you know your TSI status and if you are required to test and for which sections. When ready to take the PAA, open either aFirefox or Google Chrome browserand go to:https://secure.mwsu.edu/registrar/paa/slides.asp(For formatting purposes, it is important to only use the web browser of Firefox or Google Chrome.) The PAA is required prior to taking the TSI Assessment.

Students who were officially enrolled in a Texas public college or university prior to Fall 2013 or those who registeredpriorto late registration for Fall 2013: Students under the former TSI rules were allowed to take the following assessment tests to demonstrate their level of college readiness in math and English: THEA (formerly TASP), Accuplacer, Asset, or Compass. Students transferring to MSU from a Texas public college or university, having already completed TSI, will be coded as TSI complete at MSU. Any student wanting to retest must use the new TSI Assessment.

The followingformerTSI tests are no longer given. This reference is left for any currently enrolled or transfer students from Texas public colleges or universities who may have previously taken one of these tests:

THEA(Texas Higher Education Assessment)

Reading - 230Mathematics - 230*Writing - 220

*270 or higher required for college-level math. Scoring between 230-269 will require MATH 1003 - Intermediate Algebra as a prerequisite.

Midwestern State University is an official testing site for the TSI Assessment.

Students taking the TSI Assessment at MSU should ask the Testing Office to send their scores to the MSU Registrar's Office.

Students taking the TSI Assessment at any other Texas college or university will have to request through that institution that an official copy of their scores be mailed to the MSU Registrar's Office. (Student copies and faxes are not considered official. Scores must be mailed directly to MSU from the issuing institution.)

TSI EXEMPTIONS:

Students are exempt from TSI requirements if they meet any of the following:

ACT composite* score of 23 or higher, with individual math and/or English scores of no less than 19. ACT scores can be no more than five years old. (Meeting the composite and English scores will exempt students from both the reading and writing sections of TSI.) Students are responsible for taking the TSI Assessment in areas from which they are not exempt.

SAT (taken prior to March 2016) combined* score of 1070 or higher, with at least 500 math and/or reading (former verbal section). SAT scores can be no more than five years old. Residual SAT cannot be used for TSI exemption. (Meeting the combined and reading scores will exempt students from both the reading and writing sections of TSI.) Students are responsible for taking the TSI Assessment in areas from which they are not exempt.SAT (taken March 2016 and after) – exemption includes a 480 or higher on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing and/or a 530 or higher on the Math section. (Scores no more than 5 years old.) Residual SAT cannot be used for exemption. Students must take the TSI Assessment for sections from which they are not exempt.

* The writing components of the ACT and the SAT (prior to March 2016) tests are not currently used in determining TSI exemptions.

Eleventh grade exit-level TAKS scores of 2200 or higher on math and/or 2200 or higher in English Language Arts with a writing composition rating of at least 3. TAKS scores can be no more than five years old*. (The exit-level TAKS is a test given in Texas Public High Schools since Spring 2004.) [Note: The English Language Arts and written composition sections must be met together -- if neither or only one area is met, student must take both the reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment.] *Effective August 15, 2013: the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved TAKS exemptions for scores no more than five years old.

STAAR Algebra II, English III reading, and/or English III writing at the Final Recommended Level II performance standard. (For Algebra II, this is a score of at least 4000. For English III reading and writing when taken separately, this is a score of at least 2000 each; when English III reading and writing is combined, this is a score of at least 4000.) STAAR scores can be no more than five years old. Students are responsible for taking the TSI Assessment in areas from which they are not exempt.

Students who have an associate or bachelor's degree earned from an accredited college or university.

Military Service:

Students who are serving in the state of Texas as active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States are TSI exempt. Official documentation of active duty status for the enrollment period is required. Students must file a Verification of Active Duty form each semester which can be obtained in the Base Education Office.

Students who are on active duty in the Texas National Guard are TSI exempt. A verification letter from the Unit Administrator, is required each semester.

Students who are members of a reserve component of the armed forces for at least 3 years preceding enrollment are TSI exempt. A verification letter from the Unit Administrator, is required each semester.

Students who on or after August 1, 1990, were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the U.S. armed forces, Texas National Guard, or member of reserve component are TSI exempt. A copy of the DD214 form showing this status is required.

Students who are transferring to MSU from a privateorout-of-state, accredited, college or universitymaymeet sections of the Texas Success Initiative based on a grade of C or better in courses that are equivalent to the following courses at MSU: (Note: Transcripts should be submitted to MSU as soon as possible. Official evaluation must be completed to determine course equivalencies before a TSI waiver will be granted.)

Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA): Students who must take the TSI Assessment are first required to complete the online Pre-Assessment Activity. Before taking the PAA, make sure you know your TSI status and if you are required to test and for which sections. When ready to take the PAA, open either aFirefox or Google Chrome browerand go to: https://secure.mwsu.edu/registrar/paa/slides.asp (For formatting purposes, it is important to only use the web browser of Firefox or Google Chrome.) The PAA is required prior to taking the TSI Assessment.

Taking the TSI Assessment during the week of orientation may require late registration and/or schedule changes. There is no guarantee that you will be allowed to add additional courses once the designated registration dates have passed. Please check with the Registrar's Office if you have questions.

Developmental enrollment in the deficient area(s) is required each semester and summer term, if offered. If a student has failed more than one section, it is recommended that developmental courses be taken in all respective areas; however, enrollment in at least one is required.

Once the student has passed the required developmental course(s) with a grade of C or better, they will have completed the requirements for the Texas Success Initiative.

RETESTING RULES

Who must retest?

A student may retake the TSI Assessment at any time, subject to availability, to determine the student's readiness to perform freshman-level academic course work.

If students pass a retest, then they have completed that section of the TSI requirements. If they do not pass or do not attempt a retest, then the grades in their required developmental courses are reviewed. When students have passed the respective developmental course work with a grade of "C" or better, they will have completed that section of the Texas Success Initiative and will be released for college-level work in that area.

If you have questions or need additional information regarding the Texas Success Initiative requirements, please contact the MSU Office of the Registrar at jamie.wilson@mwsu.eduor 940-397-4320.